How do I file a complaint against a builder in West Bengal? (West Bengal uses HIRA, not RERA)
Updated · 27 September 2026
West Bengal is the only major state that did not adopt the central RERA Act. Instead, it has its own law — the West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act (WB-HIRA), 2017 — administered through the state's HIRA authority. File your complaint online through the official portal (hira.wb.gov.in); the standard government filing fee is commonly cited as around ₹1,000, though you should confirm the current fee schedule on the portal before paying, as figures for individual homebuyer complaints have varied across sources.
Why doesn't West Bengal use RERA?
The central RERA Act, 2016 required every state to either adopt central rules or frame their own state-specific rules and set up their own regulatory authority. West Bengal chose to enact its own separate law — the West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, 2017 (WB-HIRA) — rather than notify rules under the central Act. This means West Bengal homebuyers deal with a distinct regulator and portal, not the generic 'RERA' processes described for Maharashtra, Karnataka, or other states.
What complaints can WB-HIRA adjudicate?
- Delayed possession beyond the committed date in the agreement for sale
- Refund with interest for allottees who wish to withdraw from a delayed project
- Deviation from sanctioned plans, specifications, or promised amenities
- Non-registration of a project that should have been registered before sale of units began
- Failure to form an association of allottees or hand over common areas/facilities
Step-by-step: filing a HIRA complaint
1. Check project registration on the official portal (hira.wb.gov.in) to confirm the project and promoter are HIRA-registered.
2. File the complaint — an online complaint facility is available; the portal also lists a route for offline complaints for those unable to file online.
3. Attach evidence — the agreement for sale, payment receipts, and correspondence with the promoter demanding possession or refund.
4. Pay the filing fee — confirm the current amount on the portal before paying, since fee figures cited for individual complaints have varied.
5. Track and attend hearings as scheduled by the Authority.
2. File the complaint — an online complaint facility is available; the portal also lists a route for offline complaints for those unable to file online.
3. Attach evidence — the agreement for sale, payment receipts, and correspondence with the promoter demanding possession or refund.
4. Pay the filing fee — confirm the current amount on the portal before paying, since fee figures cited for individual complaints have varied.
5. Track and attend hearings as scheduled by the Authority.
What happens after an order, and can I appeal?
The West Bengal HIRA Authority can direct the promoter to complete construction, pay delay interest, refund amounts with interest, or rectify deviations from the sanctioned plan. As with the central RERA framework, an aggrieved party can appeal to the appellate tribunal constituted under the state Act within the prescribed limitation period.
Reference Citation: West Bengal Housing Industry Regulation Act, 2017 (WB-HIRA) — enacted in lieu of the central Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016
Disclaimer: Content provided here is for general legal knowledge only and does not constitute formal legal advice. If you have an urgent or specific matter, please consult a registered advocate.